Arthritis is the term used to describe swelling and tenderness of one or more joints in the body. There are over 100 types of arthritis with different causes.
Osteoarthritis – degeneration of cartilage in joints due to wear and tear – is the most common type.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the second most common, is an autoimmune inflammatory disease in which the body’s immune system attacks joints, beginning with the lining of the joint capsule.
Other types of arthritis may be caused by infections or underlying disease, such as gout, psoriasis, lupus or fibromyalgia.